Semi Formal and Formal night on same cruise?

[RobInMD]

Hi all,

So I have a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy and was wondering whether there's both a semi-formal and formal night? Also it's a Halloween on the High Seas cruise so not sure if that makes a different.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Hi all,

So I have a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy and was wondering whether there's both a semi-formal and formal night? Also it's a Halloween on the High Seas cruise so not sure if that makes a different.

Thanks,
Rob

Yes, the Fantasy 7 night cruises have both a formal and semi-formal night. The formal night is the second night. The semi-formal night is night 6.

 

[SDJEL]

On the 7 day cruises that we've done, there have been both. FWIW we've worn the same outfits both times to minimize packing. That, and my husband hates wearing a tie and my boys think a golf shirt is dressy.

 

[RobInMD]

Yes, the Fantasy 7 night cruises have both a formal and semi-formal night. The formal night is the second night. The semi-formal night is night 6.

Thank you!

 

[RobInMD]

On the 7 day cruises that we've done, there have been both. FWIW we've worn the same outfits both times to minimize packing. That, and my husband hates wearing a tie and my boys think a golf shirt is dressy.

Thanks!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Is there different food served on semi-formal night vs. formal night? Lobster served at either?

 

[cheermom2four]

Is there different food served on semi-formal night vs. formal night? Lobster served at either?

Lobster is served on one of the nights. I remember it quite well as my husband went crazy LOL as he loves lobster and got I believe 2 that night.

 

[CamColt]

On our Fantasy cruise this summer there was a Formal Night, but what had been Semi Formal Night in the past was now "Dress Up Optional". Technically it's all sort of the same thing as those nights are optional anyway, but that is what they are calling it now.

 

[Expatriat]

On our Fantasy cruise this summer there was a Formal Night, but what had been Semi Formal Night in the past was now "Dress Up Optional". Technically it's all sort of the same thing as those nights are optional anyway, but that is what they are calling it now.

According to the top right of the first page of the Personal Navigator for the September 24, 2016 Disney Fantasy, it is still called SEMI-FORMAL.

I believe they always say "dress up optional" for both formal and semi-formal nights.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Is there different food served on semi-formal night vs. formal night? Lobster served at either?

The food is different on the two nights. Since the formal night is the second night, all the restaurants will be serving their own "rotational" menu. That means the menu you have will be specific to the MDR you are in. The semi-formal (or optional dress up ) night has the Captain's Gala menu. That's the menu that has lobster tails. Here's a link to that menu: http://disneycruiselineblog.com/menus/captains-gala-dinner-menu/ . Scroll down a bit because the first two menus showing are from an Alaskan cruise and a British Isles cruise, both of which had additional "regional inspirations" options which would not be available on the Fantasy cruises. The 3rd menu down is from the Fantasy.

 

[Flossbolna]

According to the top right of the first page of the Personal Navigator for the September 24, 2016 Disney Fantasy, it is still called SEMI-FORMAL.

I believe they always say "dress up optional" for both formal and semi-formal nights.

It is actually interesting, if you go through the most recent Fantasy navigators since June, they seem to be split between "optional dress up" and "semi-formal". At first I thought it depended on whether it was Western or Eastern, but I found both options on both itineraries. Seems to be pure chance which of the two designation that night gets now.

 

[Dug720]

It is actually interesting, if you go through the most recent Fantasy navigators since June, they seem to be split between "optional dress up" and "semi-formal". At first I thought it depended on whether it was Western or Eastern, but I found both options on both itineraries. Seems to be pure chance which of the two designation that night gets now.

And of course there is no requirement to dress up (other than the obvious no swimsuits, etc.) Palo and Remy are the only places the dress code is enforced.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

On the 7 day cruises that we've done, there have been both. FWIW we've worn the same outfits both times to minimize packing. That, and my husband hates wearing a tie and my boys think a golf shirt is dressy.

You'll see lots of people with no ties on both nights. The big difference between the two nights is that the characters and the crew are in their formal attire (Mickey, Donald and Goofy are all in tuxedos and Daisy and Minnie are in gowns) on formal night. If you want a dressy photo with the characters in their formal attire, formal night is the one to concentrate on.

 

[Expatriat]

Under "Dress Code" on the current DCL FAQ, it still lists "one formal and one semi-formal night" for their 7-night cruises. They do of course specify that dressing up is optional.

 

[CamColt]

According to the top right of the first page of the Personal Navigator for the September 24, 2016 Disney Fantasy, it is still called SEMI-FORMAL.

I believe they always say "dress up optional" for both formal and semi-formal nights.

It is actually interesting, if you go through the most recent Fantasy navigators since June, they seem to be split between "optional dress up" and "semi-formal". At first I thought it depended on whether it was Western or Eastern, but I found both options on both itineraries. Seems to be pure chance which of the two designation that night gets now.

That is interesting that they seem to go back and forth. Here's mine from the 8/20 cruise (this was on the night of 8/25). I was actually surprised to see this as I was expecting Semi Formal.

 

[Expatriat]

Hmm. I just took a look at various Fantasy Navigators on disneycruiselineblog. From what I can determine (and I did not view all of them), it appears that the Eastern itineraries have Formal and Semi-Formal nights, while the Western itineraries now have Formal and Optional Dress-Up nights. Strange.

 

[RobInMD]

Do people wear costumes to the dinners? Halloween cruise and pirate night?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do people wear costumes to the dinners? Halloween cruise and pirate night?

If they want to. Not all do.

 

[BCV23]

We were on a Western in September. The Navigator did list Thursday dinner as Dress Up Optional but it seems to me I saw semiformal somewhere? Maybe on the app?

As for costumes, I didn't see adults wear costumes to dinner except on Pirates night. There is not a Halloween dinner per se. It may be different on 10/31? For Pirates Night, as PrincessShmoo said it is up to you. You will receive red pirate bandanas in your stateroom. Some families go all out with amazing costumes. Others just wear the bandanas. We usually go to Palo that night so no costumes for us.

 

[RedSox68]

Yes, on all 7-day or longer cruises we've done, there have been both. We used to pack formal dresses and suits, but we are now at the point though where my husband just brings a shirt and tie, and I bring a skirt and top and we usually only go to one of them, and do room service or Cabanas for the other one. After our 8th cruise of packing the full suit and all the formal accoutrements, we decided we were done with that phase LOL We did get some amazing pictures though as souvenirs out of it!

On our 2009 cruise, my husband and daughter brought a suitcase full of pirate costumes, including boots and tri-corn hat -- but we were also doing the Disney Halloween night so it was worth it.